Assignment:
Overview: Using what you have learned so far in the course, you will complete the ethics and diversity section of your project. In Milestone Three, you will submit a three to four page paper. In this paper you will examine the role of ethics and the implications of diversity in the scenario you have chosen. You are acting as the assistant to a forensic psychologist in this case and you will assess your role relative to the potential ethical implications or ramifications in the scenario. You will use the Ethical Principles for Psychologists and Code of Conduct to substantiate your claims.
You will also assess the potential risks associated with the scenario, or potential personal biases that would impact a forensic psychologist's ability to be objective and fair. What is your recommended course of action regarding the identified risks? Once you have discussed ethics, you will discuss the implications of diversity on the scenario you have chosen. Discuss the implications of diversity, race, or gender on the delivery of services in this scenario. What are the drawbacks of not being culturally competent or culturally aware? How would you address these issues? How would you ensure integrity and the high standard of professionalism? What steps are needed to ensure the best practices in addressing cultural competency are considered when providing services to clients of varying cultures and backgrounds?
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Role of Ethics
a) Assess the forensic psychologist's role relative to the potential ethical implications or ramifications in the scenario. For instance, what is the importance of maintaining objectivity or maintaining professionalism? Substantiate your claims, referencing the Ethical Principles for Psychologists and Code of Conduct.
b) Assess the potential risks associated with implementing forensic psychology practices specific to the scenario. For example, are there personal biases that would impact the forensic psychologist's ability to be objective and fair in this scenario?
c) What is your recommended course of action regarding the risks you identified, demonstrating your adherence to high ethical standards in working with all relevant parties in the scenario?
i. For instance, how does a forensic psychologist still work clinically with a defendant when the psychologist would be required to release information obtained in an individual therapy session? Or what would be the ethical implications for a forensic psychologist working on a case in which the psychologist is privy to unethical behavior being engaged in on the part of other court officials?
II. Implications of Diversity
a) What are the implications of diversity (e.g., race, gender) on the effective delivery of forensic-related services relative to the scenario? Overall, what are the drawbacks to being insensitive to and not culturally aware of differences when working with clients?
b) How would you address issues of diversity in your selected scenario? In other words, what are your recommendations to the assigned forensic psychologist, ensuring that the psychologist will maintain the integrity of practice and high standard of professionalism?
c) What steps are needed to ensure that best practices in addressing cultural competency are considered when providing services to clients of varying cultures and backgrounds?
Guidelines for Submission: Milestone Three should follow these formatting guidelines: Use of a minimum of two sources, three to four double-spaced pages, 12- point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and citations in APA style.